Break-Even Calculator for Corn & Soybeans

How to Calculate Break-Even Price Per Bushel

Your break-even price is the minimum price you need to receive for your grain to cover all production costs. The formula is simple:

For example, if your total corn production costs are $850 per acre and you expect to harvest 200 bushels per acre, your field-level break-even is $4.25 per bushel. Add $0.10/bu for trucking and your delivered break-even is $4.35 per bushel.

What Costs Should You Include?

A complete break-even calculation includes every dollar that goes into producing a bushel of grain:

• Direct inputs: Seed, fertilizer (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), herbicides, insecticides, fungicides
• Crop insurance: RP premiums plus any ECO or SCO endorsements
• Drying and handling: Propane, electricity, grain handling charges
• Land costs: Cash rent, mortgage payments, or opportunity cost of owned land
• Machinery: Depreciation, fuel, repairs, and custom hire
• Overhead: Labor, interest on operating loans, farm insurance, miscellaneous
• Delivery: Trucking cost per bushel to the elevator

2026 Break-Even Benchmarks

According to Iowa State University's 2026 cost estimates, average production costs in Iowa are approximately:

• Corn: ~$912/acre total cost. At 200 bu/acre = $4.56/bu break-even
• Soybeans: ~$679/acre total cost. At 55 bu/acre = $12.35/bu break-even

Your actual break-even will vary significantly based on your land costs, input prices, and yield history. That's why it's critical to calculate it with your numbers, not state averages.

Why Break-Even Matters for Grain Marketing

Knowing your break-even is the foundation of every grain marketing decision. Without it, you're selling blind. With it, you can:

• Set price targets that guarantee profit at different yield scenarios
• Evaluate forward contracts — is $4.80 corn a good sale? Only if it's above your break-even
• Compare crops — should you plant more soybeans this year? Compare break-evens to current futures
• Talk to your lender with real numbers instead of guesses

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you calculate break-even price per bushel?

Divide your total cost per acre by your projected yield per acre. For example, if your corn costs $850/acre to produce and you expect 200 bu/acre, your break-even is $4.25/bu. Add trucking cost per bushel for your delivered break-even.

What costs should I include in a break-even calculation?

Include all direct costs: seed, fertilizer, chemicals, crop insurance, and drying. Include all overhead costs: cash rent or land payment, machinery, labor, and interest. Divide the total by expected yield to get your break-even price per bushel.

What is a good break-even price for corn in 2026?

Average break-even for corn in 2026 ranges from $4.00 to $5.50 per bushel depending on land costs, yield expectations, and input prices. Iowa State University estimates total corn production costs around $912 per acre for 2026. At 200 bu/acre, that is a $4.56/bu break-even. Farms with lower rent or higher yields will be well below that.